Music
Preview
Audi presents… Wilderness Festival 2026: the complete line-up deep dive
A closer look at the best music acts performing at the Oxfordshire festival's 15th edition
For nearly two decades, Wilderness has shown that a great festival can offer far more than music and late nights. Since launching in 2011, the Oxfordshire weekender has helped redefine the modern festival experience, pairing a thoughtfully curated lineup with acclaimed dining, immersive arts, comedy, wellness and thought-provoking talks.
But while there’s plenty to tempt you away from the stages, the music remains at the heart of it all, and the 2026 lineup is one of Wilderness’ most eclectic yet. From the long-awaited return of Scissor Sisters and a headline set from dance music pioneer Carl Cox to fast-rising indie bands, global grooves and DJs soundtracking the small hours, there’s something happening wherever you wander. To help you plan your weekend, we’ve picked out some of the artists who deserve a place on your schedule.
The headliners
Scissor Sisters
Last year saw the awaited return of the inimitable Scissor Sisters, whose comeback coincided with the 20th anniversary of their debut album. Their flamboyant blend of glam rock, disco, pop and dance music made them one of the defining British chart acts of the 2000s, with hits including ‘Take Your Mama’, ‘Laura’ and ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin”. Equal parts theatrical and euphoric, their live shows have always celebrated individuality, excess and irresistible pop hooks, making their long-awaited return one of the biggest draws of the weekend.
Carl Cox
Another artist who needs no introduction to those who like a boogie. Over the last four decades Carl Cox has remained one of electronic music’s most respected selectors, moving effortlessly between house, techno and everything in between. Whether playing intimate clubs or festival main stages, Cox’s sets are built on impeccable taste and an instinct for taking a crowd on a journey, rather than chasing obvious moments – though expect to hear his sweltering new track ‘Burn Tonight’.
The Last Dinner Party
The rise of The Last Dinner Party was famously meteoric. Before releasing a debut album, the five-piece had already become one of Britain’s most talked-about new bands, thanks to a string of commanding live performances and the breakout single ‘Nothing Matters’. Their Mercury Prize-nominated debut, Prelude to Ecstasy, married baroque pop and glam rock and more than solidified the hype. Trust us: their grand, theatrical approach to live performances will make them one of the most memorable shows at this year’s Wilderness.
Sisters: Curated by Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox curates an exclusive Wilderness performance in collaboration with international feminist organisation The Circle, celebrating the voices, stories and creativity of women through music. Bringing together a carefully chosen cast of collaborators and guests, Sisters promises a unique festival moment shaped by one of Britain’s most influential artists, whose career with Eurythmics and as a solo performer has left an enduring mark on popular music.
The future favourites
Modern Woman
Fronted by Sophie Harris, Modern Woman make brooding art rock with a jagged edge. Their debut album Johnny’s Dreamworld, released in May, was an ambitious introduction, meandering between post-punk, chamber pop, free jazz and spoken word without losing its sense of identity. Richly layered and full of unexpected gut punches and twists, it’s the work of a band more interested in atmosphere and exploration than easy hooks, rewarding listeners who like their guitar music a little left of centre.
Lime Garden
Lime Garden have quietly become one of the UK’s most exciting indie bands. Their debut album One More Thing showcased the wiry guitars, chunky grooves and deadpan lyricism that make up their self-described “wonk pop”, though they leaned fully into dance-punk catharsis on their 2026 sophomore Maybe Not Tonight, inspired by all four members going through breakups at the same time.
Lucia & The Best Boys
Led by the magnetic Lucia Fairfull, Glasgow’s Lucia & The Best Boys pair soaring indie rock with glossy baroque-pop and confessional songwriting. Their debut album Burning Castles balanced vulnerability with huge choruses, while their live shows have earned praise for their emotional intensity. Earlier this year they released the single ‘Big Romance’, which featured The Last Dinner Party’s Abigail Morris; both acts are performing on the Sunday of the festival, so perhaps we can expect a guest appearance.
Tooth
One of our favourite discoveries at The Great Escape, Tooth combine gorgeously jagged guitars, restless rhythms and a sentimental touch that refuses to stay in one lane for long. Their music draws from nostalgic emo and and anthemic indie rock without feeling beholden to either, making them an exciting prospect for anyone who enjoys discovering bands still carving out their own identity.
The global groovers
Say She She
Brooklyn trio Say She She channel the warmth of classic soul, funk and disco into songs that feel timeless rather than nostalgic. Rich three-part harmonies, vintage grooves and socially conscious songwriting have quickly earned them an international following, pairing perfectly for club remixes – see Crazy P’s take on ‘Pawa!’ Their effortlessly danceable sound makes them a perfect fit for a sun-soaked Sunday evening at Wilderness.
![Say She She - Forget Me Not [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2V6MbhNd1_Q/0.jpg)
Pigeon
By far one of the buzziest British bands of the past year, Margate’s Pigeon weave together Afrobeat, jazz, psych, funk and electronic influences into richly textured, rhythm-forward songs. At the heart of the band is Guinean singer and multi-instrumentalist Falle Nioke, whose singular and soaring vocals move effortlessly between Coniagui, Susu, French and English, reflecting both his West African heritage and the group’s global outlook.
The Hot 8 Brass Band
For almost 30 years, New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band have fused traditional brass music with funk, hip hop and jazz, creating a sound that’s unmistakably their own. Their joyful reinterpretation of Bill Withers’ ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ introduced them to many listeners, but it’s their infectious live performances that have made them festival favourites around the world.
![Hot 8 Brass Band - 'Sexual Healing (Official Video)' [Marvin Gaye Cover]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZsDUXo5TcZY/0.jpg)
Baile Ijo
Baile Ijo is a London-based collective made up of Columbian and Nigerian artists – their name means ‘Dance Dance’ in Spanish and Yoruba – and both their DJ sets and own productions blend sounds of Afrobeats, reggaeton, dembow, amapiano, baile funk and gqom to hypnotic effect.
The late night soundtrack
Crazy P
Since emerging from Nottingham in the late 1990s, Crazy P have crafted a distinctive blend of house, disco and funk with groove as the through-line and Danielle Moore’s unmistakable vocals at its heart on tracks such as ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘Like a Fool’. Following Moore’s untimely death in 2024, Crazy P have continued to celebrate her legacy through their DJ performances, making this Wilderness performance both a celebration of an influential catalogue and a poignant reminder of the joy and humanity she brought to the dance floor.
Groove Armada DJ Set
As Groove Armada, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato helped soundtrack the late 1990s and early 2000s with classics including ‘Superstylin” and ‘At the River’. The duo played their final live show back in 2022, but have been hitting the DJ circuit hard since. Expect expertly curated selections spanning house, disco, funk and Balearic sounds that keep up to date while still delivering plenty of moments of nostalgia.
Soulwax
Belgian brothers David and Stephen Dewaele have spent decades reshaping the boundaries between rock, electronic music and club culture through Soulwax, 2manydjs and their influential remix work. Soulwax’s live shows combine pounding rhythms with live instrumentation – including not one but two drummers – creating something that feels equally at home in a warehouse or on a festival stage.
Delilah
London-based DJ and producer Delilah left her job in finance for a life behind the decks and has quickly established herself as one of the UK’s most exciting selectors. A regular on Rinse FM and a familiar face at venues including Fabric and Drumsheds, her sets move fluidly through house, UK garage, breaks and bass, balancing underground club sounds with infectious dancefloor energy. If you’re heading out after dark at Wilderness, she’s one of the weekend’s best bets for a set full of surprises.
Photo credits: Claire Greenway/Getty Images, Rick Kern/Getty Images, Taylor Hill/WireImage, Jim Bennett/WireImage, Jack Geddes
